Marc Douglas Berardo is an American singer-songwriter. He was born in
Port Chester, New York, and raised in
Rye, New York. Berardo is a notable alumni of the
Iona Preparatory School in
New Rochelle, New York. His songwriting and performing career began while attending
Northeastern University in
Boston, Massachusetts. His songwriting and performing career began while attending Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts and was fine tuned as a staff performer at the Milltop Tavern and Listening Room, St Augustine, FL from 1989 to 1995. Berardo is also known as a member of the Northeast country rock group, Chris Berardo and the Desberardos.[1]
Berardo's song writing has been compared to that of
John Prine,
James Taylor and
Jackson Browne and an acoustic
Bruce Springsteen, among others. Many of his songs are set in seaside towns.[2][3][4][5] Berardo has been referred to as a possessing a "lonesome, clear voice easily carries an aching beauty"[6] as well displaying musicianship with "fluid, melodic string arrangements based on his acoustic guitar".[6][7] He currently resides in
Westerly, Rhode Island.
Recognition
Berardo has been recognized in national song contests and showcases. He was awarded the 2014 Michael Terry People's Choice Award at the
Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival Performing Songwriter Contest.[8] Berardo was also finalist in the 2015
South Florida Folk Festival Songwriting Competition,[9] the 2014 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition at the
Kerrville Folk Festival,[10] the 2014
SolarFest Songwriter Showcase,[11] and the 2010
Sisters Folk Festival.[12] Along with Bob Sima, he was awarded the first Rams Head on Stage "Rammie Award" for Show of the Year at Rams Head on Stage in 2013.[13]
Radio
Quiet Places (featuring
Red Molly) Passing Through and Ruby from the Downhauler CD made the FOLKDJ-L radio list of Top Albums and Songs of April 2011.[14] My Mistakes (co-written with Abbie Gardner of
Red Molly[2][15] ) and My Friend from Whalebone made the Folk DJ radio list of the Top Folk Albums, Songs, Artists and Labels of September 2013.[16] Program Director of
The Village (Sirius XM) Mary Sue Twohy included Downhauler on her 2011 list of favorite soundtracks.[17] In September 2015, Mary Sue hosted Berardo on The Village Folk show that she later featured on a rebroadcast of 2015 listener favorites.[18][19][20]